James Brent “Shorty” Bilberry

James Brent Bilberry, or Shorty as everyone knew him, closed his eyes on this side of eternity on May 12, 2023, and opened to them to see his Savior, Jesus. His faith has become sight, and his hope of the things to come is now his reality. Services for Shorty, 62, of Post, Texas, was on, May 17, 2023, at Post Methodist Church with Pastor Luke Bilberry and Pastor Curt Greer officiating. Burial will follow at Terrace Cemetery with the help of Hudman Funeral Home.

Shorty was a Texan to the core—a gentleman who wore a cowboy hat well, loved to team rope and opened his home for people to gather. His adventures allowed him to live in every major region of Texas throughout the years, but only one place was home-West Texas. West Texas is where he grew up and learned what it meant to be a man. It is the place where he fell in love with Glenna Jean, and it is the place where he started his family. Nothing meant more to Shorty than family; let’s be honest: if you were his friend, you were his family.

Shorty was born and died a son of the Caprock. His story began on September 29, 1960. He was the youngest but remained the tallest child of Luther and Louella Bilberry. Shorty’s love for the cowboy way of life led him to Texas A&M to study Ag science, but his father’s death brought him back home, where he graduated from Texas Tech and became a loyal Red Raider.

God knew what he was doing in bringing Shorty back home because that is where a night of two-stepping turned into a 39-year-long dance with Glenna Jean Bartlett, his dance partner, his best friend, and his wife. Their dance took them from West Texas to East Texas to South Texas and back home. Every moment in every part of Texas was filled with serving others. Whether in business or church, if you were a neighbor or a client, Shorty lived by a few simple rules and loved everyone the same.

His love was seen in his love for his children and grandkids. One of his greatest joys was having his family sit around a dinner table or make a breakfast spread that could have fed an army. He knew words meant something, so every nickname he gave them and every word he said was rich and loaded with love.

Shorty will be missed and barely scratches the surface of the hole we will have on this side of eternity, but we look forward with hope in Jesus who one day will make all things new.

Shorty was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Louella Bilberry. Shorty leaves behind his loving wife, Glenna  Jean (Bartlett), son Luke (Kathryn Bitter) of Hudsonville, Michigan, daughter Kenda (Michael Leavine) of Concord, North Carolina, as well as his grandchildren, Madelyn Kate (Sunshine) Bilberry, Noah Luke (Hoss) Bilberry, Wyatt Paul (Hoot) Bilberry, James Robert Reed (Hot Rod) Leavine, Henry Barrett (Hammer) Bilberry, Mother-in-Law, Joyce Bartlett, Post, siblings John Thomas (Alice) Bilberry of Branson, MO, Larry (Ann) Bilberry of Garden City, KS, Sharyn (Steve) Birchfield of Amarillo, Nan (Britches) Hammack of Robert Lee, and Patricia (Glen) Lambert of San Angelo as well as many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

Pallbearers were, Jeff Williams, Payton Nelson, Kim Wilks, Robbie Wilke, Steve White, John Bill Hedrick, In lieu of flowers, we ask that you invest in the lives of others by donating to the Children’s Miracle Network. Shorty’s grandkids have been blessed by generosity like yours to CMN.